Japan is reviewing the conditions of its business manager visa, with proposals to raise the minimum capital requirement in an effort to tighten access to long-term residency via commercial routes. The move follows a notable surge in the number of Chinese nationals leveraging the scheme, which currently permits entry with an investment of ¥5 million (approximately US$34,700) or the employment of two full-time staff while maintaining a physical office within the country.
The visa allows for stays of up to five years and extends eligibility to accompanying family members, a feature that has bolstered its appeal, particularly among affluent Chinese applicants. Crucially, the programme does not require specific qualifications in age, education, or language proficiency, further contributing to its popularity.
According to the Immigration Services Agency, the number of Chinese nationals holding business manager visas has more than doubled from roughly 10,000 in 2015 to 20,551 by June 2024. Chinese citizens now account for over half of all visa holders under this category.
Haruko Arimura, a senior lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has publicly raised concerns over the programme’s accessibility, suggesting it serves as an “easy route to obtain permanent residency”. She warned that its current structure could pose risks to public safety and distort Japan’s business environment.
Osaka prefecture has emerged as a hotspot for visa-linked business activities, where some private lodging companies appear to have been founded primarily to satisfy entry criteria, enabling their owners to relocate to Japan.
In response, Japanese authorities have increased oversight, recently mandating that applicants demonstrate business viability—either through profitability or access to funding—within two years of arrival, according to Bloomberg. The current threshold of ¥5 million is considerably lower than that of comparable schemes in peer nations. For instance, South Korea’s equivalent visa demands a capital injection of 300 million won (around US$219,300).
The Immigration Services Agency is expected to commence formal discussions within the fiscal year to amend visa regulations, aiming to better align the programme with its original objective of attracting skilled professionals.
This reassessment is part of a broader tightening of immigration and residency policies in Japan. The government plans to introduce a digital framework to monitor travellers’ data, as per a draft proposal due this month. It also aims to eradicate illegal overstaying through enhanced enforcement and deportation measures, alongside a review of visa and immigration fees to bring them in line with global standards.
Labour-related visa programmes, including the technical intern training scheme and the specified skilled worker system, are also undergoing structural reform. These revisions are expected to clarify eligible sectors and introduce defined intake targets.
Japan’s foreign resident population reached an all-time high in 2024 for the third consecutive year, climbing 10 per cent year-on-year to approximately 3.8 million. Chinese nationals represent the largest demographic, numbering over 870,000, followed by Vietnamese and South Korean nationals, with 634,361 and 409,238 residents respectively.
-SCMP
